Taking turns to join the panel on stage were five ‘hot seat’ participants chosen by Mr Dixon, Chaiyya Cooper, student Curtin University, Dr Gaus Azam, principal soil scientist, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, associate professor Fran Lopez, program leader for fungicide resistance management and disease impacts at the Centre for Crop and Disease Management at Curtin University, Shannen Barrett, communications manager, InterGrain and 2024 Nuffield Scholar and Kristen Batten, Murdoch University student.